Colby Stevenson, the U.S. skier who narrowly escaped death in a car accident four years ago, is now within striking distance of securing his second Olympic medal.
Stevenson's journey to recovery was nothing short of remarkable. Following a devastating crash that left him with severe injuries, he relied heavily on his mother for support before she had to return to work. It was then that his grandmother stepped in, providing emotional stability and companionship as the two played cards and went on short walks around their neighborhood.
The simple joys from these everyday activities brought Stevenson immense happiness during a dark period. "Those things brought me so much joy when I was in my darkest times," he recalled. "I realized you don't need a lot to be happy." This newfound perspective would serve him well as he began his rehabilitation process, gradually rebuilding his physical and mental strength.
A year into his recovery, Stevenson felt ready to return to skiing. He put on his skis for the first time in five months and stunned medical professionals by performing a daring double cork 1080. The move, which involves two full flips and a spin, was more than just a test of physical prowess – it was also a statement of intent.
Stevenson had never given up on his Olympic dreams, even when faced with the darkest moments of his life. His determination was on full display at a FIS World Cup slopestyle event in Italy in 2017, where he dominated a competition to take first place and secure a remarkable victory. The emotion in his voice as he recounted that moment still lingered: "We couldn’t really believe it... It was totally out of a fairy tale."
As Stevenson's skills continued to blossom, so too did his Olympic prospects. In 2022, he secured a spot on the U.S. team for the Beijing Olympics, where he would go on to finish seventh in slopestyle but steal the show with an astonishing Big Air performance.
On the eve of the final, Stevenson was calm and focused, with a clear plan in mind for his next trick. But it was music that proved to be his guide – Steve Miller's 'Fly Like An Eagle' became the soundtrack to one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history. With a burst of confidence, Stevenson attempted a previously untried 'nose butter' triple cork, 1620 Japan grab, securing a medal that would cement his status as one of the world's top skiers.
Stevenson's journey to recovery was nothing short of remarkable. Following a devastating crash that left him with severe injuries, he relied heavily on his mother for support before she had to return to work. It was then that his grandmother stepped in, providing emotional stability and companionship as the two played cards and went on short walks around their neighborhood.
The simple joys from these everyday activities brought Stevenson immense happiness during a dark period. "Those things brought me so much joy when I was in my darkest times," he recalled. "I realized you don't need a lot to be happy." This newfound perspective would serve him well as he began his rehabilitation process, gradually rebuilding his physical and mental strength.
A year into his recovery, Stevenson felt ready to return to skiing. He put on his skis for the first time in five months and stunned medical professionals by performing a daring double cork 1080. The move, which involves two full flips and a spin, was more than just a test of physical prowess – it was also a statement of intent.
Stevenson had never given up on his Olympic dreams, even when faced with the darkest moments of his life. His determination was on full display at a FIS World Cup slopestyle event in Italy in 2017, where he dominated a competition to take first place and secure a remarkable victory. The emotion in his voice as he recounted that moment still lingered: "We couldn’t really believe it... It was totally out of a fairy tale."
As Stevenson's skills continued to blossom, so too did his Olympic prospects. In 2022, he secured a spot on the U.S. team for the Beijing Olympics, where he would go on to finish seventh in slopestyle but steal the show with an astonishing Big Air performance.
On the eve of the final, Stevenson was calm and focused, with a clear plan in mind for his next trick. But it was music that proved to be his guide – Steve Miller's 'Fly Like An Eagle' became the soundtrack to one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history. With a burst of confidence, Stevenson attempted a previously untried 'nose butter' triple cork, 1620 Japan grab, securing a medal that would cement his status as one of the world's top skiers.
This Colby Stevenson dude is literally an inspiration 
. I mean, can you imagine going through that kind of trauma and still finding joy in simple things like playing cards with your grandma? 
That's the power of human resilience, right there. And the fact that he never gave up on his dreams... it's just incredible 
. But what really gets me is how he uses music to calm himself down before a competition - Steve Miller's 'Fly Like An Eagle' is like his superpower anthem 
. It's amazing how something as small as a song can give him the confidence boost he needs to push himself to new heights (literally). Anyway, I'm definitely rooting for him now 
.
. I mean, who needs a lot to be happy when you've got your grandma and some cards to keep you company? It's all about perspective, right? But seriously, that dude's comeback story is straight fire 
. The way he pushed through his injuries and came back stronger than ever is truly inspiring. And let's be real, who else can say they performed a 1080 double cork in front of medical pros after a near-death experience? 
That takes guts, Colby! But what really gets me is how calm and focused he was during those Olympic finals. I mean, if that music wasn't pumping him up, I don't know what was 
. Anyway, I'm rooting for him to take home another medal, maybe even gold 
.
I cant even believe its been 4 yrs since Colby Stevenson had that crazy car accident!!! 
I mean we all know how hard it is to get back on the slopes after such a devastating injury, but Colby just kept pushing himself and his determination is INSANE 
And that 'nose butter' triple cork 1620 Japan grab? 
I'm shook! He's an inspiration not just for skiers, but for anyone who's ever faced adversity. The way he kept pushing himself to get better, even when it felt like the odds were against him... it's truly admirable. 
That's the kind of mindset we all need to adopt, you know? Don't need fancy stuff to be happy, just quality time with loved ones.
he's proof that with determination & support from loved ones, we can overcome even the darkest of times 
The way he found joy in simple things like playing cards & short walks with his grandma is just 
it. And that music by Steve Miller during his Big Air performance? Total game-changer 
!
I'm telling you, something fishy was going on with Colby Stevenson's comeback story. Like, how convenient is it that he just happens to have two awesome grandmas to take care of him after the accident? It's like they were waiting for him or something 
. And don't even get me started on that music - Steve Miller's 'Fly Like An Eagle' being his go-to soundtrack? That's just a little too perfect, if you ask me 
. What if it was actually some kind of mind control thing? Maybe they wanted to influence his performance or something 
: 
:
But seriously, his journey shows us that with the right support system (like grandma and mom) and mental toughness, we can overcome even the toughest obstacles. Just like how he didn't let his injuries hold him back, we should focus on pushing through our own challenges rather than letting them define us.
. That's what makes him a compelling athlete, and that's what we need more of in politics: charisma and a willingness to take risks. 
anyway, Colby's comeback story is like a real-life fairy tale, you can't help but root for the guy 
now he's so close to getting that second Olympic medal, fingers crossed for him! 
He's like, totally inspiring me right now! 